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Mixed
Reviews From Missouri and Illinois Legislative Sessions
This
year’s legislative sessions in the Missouri and Illinois General
Assemblies produced mixed results for the region. While some of
the region’s priorities were not successful, there were still
a number of significant victories.
Economic Development:
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT — The Missouri General Assembly failed
to approve legislation outlining how the state would spend the
$6.7 billion Tobacco Settlement proceeds. The RCGA along with
a statewide coalition strongly supported using a portion of those
proceeds to invest in health/life sciences for research and development.
The RCGA also supported this legislation to help provide critical
funding for the medically indigent.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT — The Missouri General Assembly
supported incentive legislation to encourage the growth and retention
of life sciences, high-tech companies in the State, such as Integrated
Protein Technologies (IPT), the highly-recruited Monsanto life
sciences spin-off company (North Carolina and Virginia have both
actively recruited IPT to locate in their states.)
STATE APPROPRIATION — The Missouri General Assembly also
supported critically-needed State funding participation of $24
million as the next critical step in the Convention Headquarters
Hotel, and $18 million for the eight-square-block Cupples Warehouse
district revitalization project.
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
— Receiving favorable action in the Missouri General Assembly, the
Community Comeback legislation aimed at stimulating private reinvestment
in older communities in St. Louis County.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES — The Missouri General Assembly
also failed to pass legislation that would continue strategic economic
development incentives for companies to expand and relocate in Missouri,
particularly in economically distressed areas.
QUICK TAKE AUTHORITY FOR SWIDA — Legislation was passed to
extend the quick take authority for the Southwestern Illinois Development
Authority (SWIDA) from August 30, 2000 until August 30, 2002.
QUICK TAKE AUTHORITY FOR METROLINK — Legislation was passed
to extend the period of time within which quick-take powers may
be exercised by the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois
Metropolitan District to January 16, 2002, (now January 16, 2000)
concerning the MetroLink Light Rail System.
HISTORIC RESIDENCES – Legislation was passed that provides
that “fair cash value” represents the value of the property prior
to the commencement of rehabilitation without consideration of any
reduction reflecting value during the rehabilitation work.
PROPERTY TAX-LOW INCOME HOUSING – Legislation was passed
that provides when assessing a Section 515 low-income housing project
based on actual or probable net, the local assessment officer must
use a vacancy rate of not more than 5%.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY:
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES — The Missouri General Assembly approved
legislation that allows the State to issue up to $2.25 billion in
bonds to expedite critically need highway and bridge improvements
throughout the State. The Legislation also contains language that
instructs the state to move forward on a statewide multi-modal total
transportation bill.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS — Infrastructure is vital to
the economic vitality of Southwestern Illinois and surrounding areas.
In order to encourage growth and create jobs in this region, it
is imperative that the Illinois Department of Transportation has
proper funding for District 8. The RCGA continues to work to secure
those funds dedicated to District 8 under Illinois First. Illinois
FIRST is Governor George Ryan’s five-year $12 billion, comprehensive
infrastructure improvement plan to address Illinois’ aging and deteriorating
roads and bridges, unfunded highway construction projects, neglected
mass transit systems and school construction and repair. The program
also funds the clean up of brownfields, upgrades for sewer systems
and other quality of life projects throughout Illinois.
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